Man United laying groundwork for ‘composed and consistent’ Premier League star amid Chelsea interest

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Stretty News

·5 February 2026

Man United laying groundwork for ‘composed and consistent’ Premier League star amid Chelsea interest

Manchester United are hoping they can come out on top in the race for Murillo’s signature this summer.

Although Nottingham Forest will be doing their absolute utmost to keep hold of their stalwart centre-half, the player may find that some of the offers he receives are too lucrative to turn down – especially if he has the opportunity to play in the Champions League for the first time.

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Forest’s Murillo: How he’s faring

Murillo alongside fellow United-linked star Elliot Anderson. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

This season, he gained his first European experience when Nottingham Forest kicked off their Europa League campaign, and he has since made six appearances.

Murillo has been a mainstay under each manager he’s represented since joining Forest in 2023, having now racked up 86 Premier League appearances across two-and-a-half seasons – all of which were starts.

Now that his continued stellar performances have caught the eye of clubs, Football Fancast, relaying a report from TeamTalk, claims that ‘the race for his signature has erupted’.

Who else is in the mix for Murillo?

Would Chelsea offer more than United?. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Chelsea and United are currently the two sides showing the most interest in the 23-year-old, with the latter said to rate his ‘composure and consistency’.

Negotiating any potential agreement early doors would put United in good standing to facilitate Murillo’s arrival early on in the summer – though he will be crossing his fingers that he can add to his one Brazil cap at the forthcoming World Cup, first and foremost.

What’s more, the 23-year-old would almost certainly push for an end-of-season sale if Forest drop back down to the Championship. They currrently sit 17th-placed and just six points above West Ham United in 18th.

Identifying such coveted targets only makes United’s need to qualify for the UCL all the more important.